Woolston Riverside gets green light

Southampton City Council has approved the planning application submitted by the South East England Development agency (SEEDA) for the regeneration of the Woolston Riverside site.

The outline plan follows extensive consultation over the past two years with the public, local businesses and key stakeholders. It sets out the principles for a mixed-use development on the 12.5 ha site – formerly the Vosper Thorneycroft shipyard. Includes some 1,510 new homes, 39,246 sq m of business space, 3,962 sq m of food, drink and retail outlets plus community and leisure uses.

The agency’s objective for the scheme is to deliver an exciting and visionary scheme which will provide high-quality homes for existing and future residents, as well as a marine business park with access to a quality waterfront.

SEEDA’s Development projects Director, Peter Cusdin, commented: “securing consent is a big step forward. It enables the regeneration plans to proceed and unlocks £10m of new SEEDA investment in site reclamation and provision of new roads and services over the next two years. This is a really exciting opportunity and we will be working closely with our preferred development partners, local residents and businesses to create a vibrant waterfront. Building work should start on the £500m project in 2009.”

The Woolston Riverside development will transform a 12.5ha (31 acre) redundant shipbuilding facility in Southampton into a thriving and sustainable waterfront area with a marine business park, high quality housing, retail, leisure and community facilities.

Earlier this year, SEEDA selected Crest Nicholson Group and Dean and Dyball Developments as development partners for the site. Will deliver the residential quarter and associated retail, leisure and community facilities. Dean and Dyball will bring forward the commercial marine quarter.

With a river frontage covering approximately 650m, this is a unique opportunity on the River Itchen, close to Southampton Water and the Solent. The existing deepwater quays provide permanent deepwater access and berthing.

Approved plans include:

- 1,510 residential units, with 371 for affordable housing (Use Class C3)
- 39,246 sq m business space (Class B1/B2)
- 1,617 sq m of retail (Class a1)
- 100 sq m financial and professional services offices (use Class a2)
- 1,895 sq m food and drink (Class a3)
- 450 sq m drinking establishments (use Class a4)
- Community/health centre and library (Class D1)
- 1,614 parking spaces